Apple iPhone 6s Plus review: The bigger picture

Telephony and messaging

The iOS 9 Phone app hasn't changed a bit, but it supports 3D Touch, as we already discussed. A force touch over a contact does the same as Quick Contacts on Android - pops up a small balloon with quick shortcuts for call, message and email.

The phonebook does not support smart dial, but offers social integration. Blacklist is available for those needing this feature.

The phonebook

FaceTime is naturally available for all compatible iOS and Mac devices and allows you to make free voice and video calls to any other FaceTime-enabled device.

The same goes for iMessage - once enabled you can send free text and multimedia content, including voice-recorded messages, to any other iMessage-enabled Apple gadget.

FaceTime • iMessages

Apple is also offering a new feature called Wi-Fi calling. If both parties support this service and it is on, the call won't be placed through the cellular network but the internet. This improves the audio quality and won't use your allotted monthly minutes.

As usual we've tested the loudspeaker performance of the new iPhone 6s Plus. It is worse than the speaker of its iPhone 6 Plus predecessor and is only good for a Below Average mark. The sound quality is very good though.

This means you should keep a close eye on your phone in noisy environments, or missing calls is a real possibility.

The messaging interface is kept the same since the iOS 8. It's 3D Touch-enhanced and you can get quick preview of your threads upon a firm press. The Mail app hasn't changed much, too, aside from the added force touch support and the new contextual menu with quick shortcuts for reply, forward, delete.

The Messaging app

Finally, the iOS 9 keyboard looks the same though its QuickType predictive input has got a refined algorithm. Over time, the iOS will learn from your typing patterns, vocabulary, people you write often to and topics. It will eventually understand the subject of each thread and base suggestions on whether the communication is formal or casual.

Apple iOS keyboard